Ball plant container



May 9, 1950 Filed Sept. 16, 1948 R. E. ACKER ETAL BALL PLANT CONTAINER 2 SheetS Sheet 1 [Til/87210715 Paul fi emoecle y 1950 R E. ACKER ET AL I 2,507,030

BALL PLANT CONTAINER Filed se i. 1e, 194s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fnz /e niors .ECLZJJA E J? (17%67 and .50 45 Paul Nenzode J WV MW/ Patented May 9, 1950 BALL PLANT CONTAINER Ralph E. Acker, Fort Worth, and Paul A. Nemoede,

Keller, Tex., assignors to Container Corporation of America, Delaware Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Application September 16, 1948, Serial No. 49,558 6 Claims. (Cl. 22927) which is enclosed by a covering of paper, burlap,

or the like, it is desirable to provide a container which has a separate compartment or portion for receiving and holding the ball and another compartment or portion in which the stem and branches can extend and be protected. Such a container should be capable of withstanding the usual handling and stacking without being crushed or deformed sufficiently to injure the contents.

Accordingly, among the objects of this invention are: To provide for setting up a ball plant container from a single paperboard blank; to provide a closure for the ball by panels struck from the walls of the container at the junction between its upper and lower portions; to brace the closure forming panels by additional panels struck from the container walls; to telescope the upper and lower portions of the container when it is set up to form and brace the closure for the lower ball containing portion; and to lock the upper and lower portions of the container in the set up teescoped position.

Other objects of this invention will, in part, be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

This invention is disclosed in the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and it comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of this invention, reference can be had to the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a one piece paperboard blank from which the ball plant container of the present invention can be set up;

Figure 2 is a view, in side elevation, of the ball plant container of the present invention in the partially set up position;

Figure 3 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, showing how a ball plant can be packaged in a container constructed in accordance with this invention; and

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring now particuiarly to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be observed that the reference character In designates, generally, a generally rectangular blank which may be formed of paperboard, such as corrugated paperboard. The blank NJ is made up of four walls l2, l3, and It to provide a container having a rectangular cross section. As shown in Figure 2, when the blank It is set up, it forms an upper portion, shown generally at l5, for receiving the branches l6 and stem l1, Figure 3, of a plant and a lower portion, shown generally at I8, for receiving the ball |9 of the plant. It will be understood that the ball IQ of the plant comprises the plant roots which are embedded in soil or filler material that is enclosed in a suitable covering of paper or burlap.

Referring again to Figure 1, it will. be noted that the walls I2, I 3, and M are divided by longitudinally extending score lines 22 and that they are divided horizontally by a transversely extending score line 23 which, as shown, is of limited extent for each of the walls. The transversely extending score line 23 divides the walls into upper sections 24, 25, 25, and El and into lower sections 28, 29, 38, and 3|. It will be understood that the upper sections 25, 25, 23, and 21, when the blank In is set up, form the upper portion |5 of the container and that the lower sections 28, 29, 33, and 3| form the lower portion I8 of the container.

With a view to providing a closure for the upper end of the lower portion l3 of the container, trapezoidal panels 35 are struck from the walls |2, l3, and M along the bottoms of the upper sections 24, 25, 26, and 21. It will be noted that the trapezoidal panels 34 are fastened to the lower sections 28, 29, 3t, and 3| only along the transversely extending score line 23. At their upper ends the trapezoidal panels 34 are joined along a score line 35 to a rectangular panel 36 which is struck from each of the upper sections 24, 25, 26, and 21. It will be observed that each of the rectangular panels 35 is joined to the corresponding upper section along a score line 31. As will appear hereinafter, the rectangular panels 35 form braces for the trapezoidal panels 34 and serve to hold them in the closed position when the container is set up.

It has been pointed out previously that each of the trapezoidal panels 34 is joined to the corresponding lower sections 28, 29, 30, and 3| only along the transversely extending score line 23'. A wall part 38 serves to join the main portion of each trapezoidal panel to the corresp lower section. Each wall part 38 is of slightly greater Width than the width of the corresponding rectangular panel 3t. The purpose of this is to permit the ends of'each wall part 38 to interfit with slots 39 which are provided in of the upper sections 24,, 25, 25, and 21 along the lower ends of each'of the rectangular panels 35. When the upper portion l of the container is telescoped with the lower portion [8, the ends of each of the wall parts 38 interfit with the slots 39 and serve to hold and lock the container in the set up position.

With a view to facilitating the telescoping of the lower end of the upper portion [5 with the upper end of the lower portion It, a part 42 of each of the upper sections 24, 25, 2B and 27 between each of its sides, the base .43 of trapezoidal panel 34 and the adjacenfiside 44 thereof is removed so as to provide two-pointed lower ends 45 for each of the upper sections 24, 25, 26, and 21, As shown in Figure 2 these pointed lower ends 45 slip inside .orthe p redges of each q i'the lower sections- .and 3! along the base 43 of each of the- 1 panels 34 which, at the corners, are severed 'mpletely from the adjacent walls. This cons ruction permits the telescop' of the lower corners of each of the 121 2min, and 21 over the adjacent corn v s -d pyramid which is formed gganels 34 when .theyere folded lnwardlysmd ownwardly to provide ithe closure .Ioithe lower portion l8 of the container.

The juxtaposed vertical edges of the'walls ll grid 14 can be held together by any suitable nieans when the container is set up. For exsimple, a flap 46 may be provided along the left Hand side of the wall H to which it is joined along a score line 41. The flap 45 may be secured, as by gluing or stapling, to the juxtaposed "edge of the wall [4. In Figure 4 the juncture is "illustrated as being made by staples.

However, as indicated, the flap 4t may be secured by glue or other means.

The bottom of the lower portion is may be closed by flaps 4B, 49, 5D, and 5|. The flaps 25 and 5| are of equal width and may be folded over first so that their edges are juxtaposed. The flap 5!! may be provided with a rectangular opening 52 and a parallel slot 53 for receiving respectively a tab 54 struck from the central portion of the fiap 48 and a second tab 55 at the outer end thereof. It will be understood that other conventional closure arrangements can be employed for closing the bottom of the lower portion l8.

' The upper end of the upper portion 15 may be closed by flaps 58, 59, 50 and BI which extend from the upper ends of the upper sections 24, 25, 26, and 21. It will be noted that the flaps 59 and 6| are severed along lines 62 for receiving tabs 63 that are formed near the sides of the upper ends of the flaps 58 and 50. The construction is such that, when the flaps 58', 59, 6D, and il are folded over in interlocked relation, a rectangular central opening is provided to permit inspection of the interior of the upper portion 15. of the container.

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score lines 22 and then securing the flap 46 in position along the juxtaposed edge of the wall l4. Next, the flaps 49 and 5! are folded Over at the bottom and then flaps 48 and 53 are folded thereover with the tabs 54 and 55 being inserted in the rectangular opening 52 and slot 53 respectively. The container is now open at the top, asshown in Figure 2, and is ready to receive the plant.

The plant is inserted through the open upper end of the upper portion l5 and the ball I9 is placed in the lower portion i8 thereof. Now, the upperportion i5 is moved bodily downwardly so that the pointed lower ends 45 of the upper sections 24, 25, 26, and 2'? slip inside of the upper edges of the lower sections 28, 29, 30, and 3| as shown in Figure 2. This telescoping movement causes the trapezoidal panels 54 to swing inward- .ly so as to provide a closure for the lower portion 18 and to fit against the upper surface of the ball '9 of the plant contained therein. At the same time, the rectangularpanels 36 swing inwardly so that, in the final position as shown in Figure 3, they serve as braces for the trapezoidal panels 34 and hold them in place. A rectangular opening 55, Figure 4, is provided at the juncture of the upper edges of the trapezoidal panels '34 through which the stem H of the plant can project as illustrated in Figure 3.

Thereafter, the flaps 58, '59, 60, and El are folded over with the tabs 53 interfitting with the flaps '59 and 51 through the openings provided along the lines 62.

Since certain changes can be made in the foregoing construction and different embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter shown in the accompanying drawings and described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in ,a limiting sense.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A blank forming when set up a container for a ball plant or the like comprising ,a rectangular sheet of paper-board divided by longitudinally extending score lines into a plurality of Walls and by a transversely extending score line into upper and lower sections, a trapezoidal panel struck from the bottom of the upper section of each wall with its base extending along said transverse score line for the full wall width and its intermediate portion joined to the corresponding lower section along said transverse score line and forming with the other trapezoidal panels when the container is set up a closure for its lower portion while the tops of the trapezoidal panels define an opening for the stem of the plant or the like, and a rectangular panel struck along its sides from the upper section of-each wall with one attached thereto along a score line and the other end attached to the top of the corresponding trapezoidal panel along a score line and foldable to provide a brace therefor when the container is set up, each trapezoidal panel being joined to the corresponding lower section for an extent greater than the width of the corresponding rectangular panel and there being a pair of slots in the corresponding upper section on opposite sides at its rectangular panel 'for-interfitting with the wall part joining the wall to said trapezoidal panel to lock the container in the set up condition.

2. A blank forming when set up a container for a ball plant or the like comprising a rectangular sheet of paperboard divided by longitudinally struck from the bottom of the upper section of each wall with its base extending along said transverse score line for the full wall width and its intermediate portion joined to the corresponding lower section along said transverse score line and forming with the other trapezoidal panels when the container is set up a closure for its lower portion while the tops of the trapezoidal panels define an opening for the stem of the plant or the like, and a rectangular panel struck along its sides from the upper section of each wall with one end attached thereto along a score line and the other end attached to the top of the corresponding trapezoidal panel along a score line and foldable to provide a brace therefor when the container is set up, a part of each upper section between each of its sides, the base of its trapezoidal panel and the adjacent side thereof being removed to [facilitate when the container is set up the telescoping of its upper,

and lower portions, each trapezoidal panel being joined to the corresponding lower section for an extent greater than the width of the corresponding rectangular panel and there being a pair of slots in the corresponding upper section on opposite sides of its rectangular panel for interfitting with the wall part joining the wall to said trapezoidal panel to lock the container in the set up condition.

3. A paperboard container for a ball plant or the like comprising, a lower portion for receiving the ball of a plant, an upper portion for receiving the top part of the plant and adapted to be telescoped with said lower portion, trapezoidal panels formed from the walls of said upper and lower portions at the junction between said portions and together providing a closure for said lower portion with the tops of said trapezoidal panels defining an opening through which the stem of the plant can extend, and rectangular panels formed from said walls with one end attached thereto and the other end attached to the top of the corresponding trapezoidal panel to provide a brace therefor, each trapezoidal panel being joined to the corresponding lower section for an extent greater than the ing therebetween, said blank comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of paper board cut and scored to provide a plurality of wall panels each having an upper section and a lower section, an intermediate panel between the upper and'lower sections of the respective wall panels attached at its midportion to the lower section along a transverse fold line, a connecting panel struck from the upper section of the respective wall panels attached thereto at its upper end along a transverse fold line and attached at its lower end to the corresponding intermediate panel along a transverse fold line, and guide and positioning elements at the sides of the respective intermediate panels extending downward from the upper sections of the respective wall panels beyond said connecting panels and disposed to enter said lower compartment along the inner faces of the lower sections of said wall panels in the setting up operation.

5. A blank for forming when set up a container for a ball plant or the like having upper and lower compartments with a restricted opening therebetween, said blank comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of paper board cut and scored to provide a plurality of wall panels each having an upper section and a lower section, an intermediate trapezoidal panel between the upper and lower sections of the respective wall panels attached at the midportion of its base to the lower section along a transverse fold line, a rectangular connecting panel struck from the upper section of the respective wall panels attached thereto at its upper end along a transverse fold line and attached at its lower end to the corresponding intermediate panel along a transverse fold line, and downwardly directed guide and positioning elements at the opposite sides of the respective intermediate panels extending downward from the upper sections of the respective wall panels beyond said connecting panels and disposed to enter said lower oompartment at opposite sides of said midportion of said intermediate panels and along the inner faces of said lower sections of said wall panels in the setting up operation.

6. A blank for forming when set up a container for a ball plant or the like having upper and lower compartments with a restricted opening therebetween, said blank comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of paper board cut and scored to provide a plurality of wall panels each having an upper section and a lower section, an intermediate trapezoidal panel between the upper and lower sections of the respective panels attached at the midportion of its base to the lower section along a transverse fold line, a rectangular connecting panel struck from the upper section of the respective wall panels attached thereto at its upper end along a transverse fold line and attached at its lower end to the corresponding intermediate panel along a transverse fold line, and downwardly directed guide and positioning elements at the opposite sides of the respective intermediate panels extending downward from the upper sections of the respective wall panels beyond said connecting panels and disposed to enter said lower compartment at opposite sides of said midportion of said intermediate panels and along the inner faces of said lower sections of said wall panels in the setting up operation, the inner edges of said elements being substantially parallel with the sides of the intermediate panels and their outer edges being inclined upward and outward whereby said guide and positioning elements are pointed downward to facilitate entry thereof into said lower compartment.

RALPH E. ACKER. PAUL A. NEMOEDE.

REFERENCES CITED Country Date Great Britain July 6, 1937 Number 

